Follow tendering process for procurements, govt directs state-run varsities

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has directed all state-run universities to avoid procuring goods or services without following a tendering process.

In a recent communication to Bengaluru City University (BCU), the Higher Education Department highlighted an order from the Finance Department, prohibiting public institutions from using the 4(G) exemptions under the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act for purchases, even for exam-related activities like printing question papers and marks cards.

The Finance Department’s circular clarifies that the 4(G) exemptions, which allows procurement without tenders in special or emergency cases, has been misused for pre-planned purchases.

The circular states, “There is provision for the government to grant 4(G) exemptions in cases where calling for a tender is not feasible due to special or emergency circumstances. However, we are increasingly receiving requests for exemptions even for pre-determined procurements.”

BCU had recently sought a five-year extension for the 4(G) exemptions to print question papers, but the Higher Education Department responded by reiterating the Finance Department’s directive, mandating a tender-based process for all procurements.

The decision, however, has drawn objections from university authorities, who argue that the confidentiality of tasks such as question paper printing makes tendering impractical.

BCU Vice-Chancellor Lingaraja Gandhi expressed concerns over potential irregularities if tendering were applied to sensitive processes like question paper printing.

"Universities follow tender processes for general procurement, but question paper printing involves confidentiality. If we call for tenders, the identity of the tenderer becomes public, increasing the risk of irregularities. The 4(G) exemption exists for this purpose, and we will communicate our concerns to the government,” said Gandhi.

The university’s examination department is expected to take up the matter with the government to seek a resolution.